Assessment of Methodological Quality
Two review authors (N.W and M.M.) independently assessed the quality of
studies using the
AMSTAR quality
assessment tool. Scores were tracked using Microsoft Excel (Redmond,
Wash.). Review authors selected either “yes,” “no,” “not
applicable,” or “can’t answer” for each of the 11 AMSTAR criteria.
Differences in the assessment were resolved by consensus with the
primary author. One point was given to a study for each of the 11 AMSTAR
criteria that received a “yes,” while no points were awarded for
“no,” “not applicable,” or “can’t answer”. Thus, the highest total
score possible was 11 (Table S3 Pg. 4-6).